Ottaway The Next Elverson?

Mark Ottoway won at Fowlmead on Sunday and was 3rd at Upavon the day before………that’s 2 wins and 5 top 6 placings in a month!!!! Is he another Elverson

UPAVON 3/4ths Report - Sat 17th January

The third and fourth category races bucked the trend of riding around in a large bunch with the occasional lone rider off the front. Early on in the race a small break developed containing some very strong riders who had obviously prepared well in the off season. The break contained John Russell (Bad Tri), Tom Stockdale (MJS racing), Mark Ottaway (VC Meudon),Garry Clarke (Banjo Cycles) and Russell O'Shea (DH Cyclesport). Behind these were a twosome containing Clive Jarvis (CC Basingstoke). The remainder of the field was in the bunch.

The break worked very well together with all riders making an equal contribution throughout. This work ethic allowed them to steadily pull away from the bunch and at half distance they had 40 seconds. The twosome doggedly worked to try to get on terms with the break and despite tracking them lap after lap their energy levels faded in the strong winds and towards the end they drifted back into the bunch. At about this point, consistent strongman Russell O'Shea punctured and this put paid to his chances. The break coming into the last few laps were well over a minute ahead and sensed that imminent victory was theirs however their sensible riding ensures that they did not take their eye of the ball and start to play cat and mouse.

Coming into the final straight it could have been anybody's victory but it was John Russell who had the legs to take the victory from Tom Stockdale and Mark Ottaway, Garry Clarke (Banjo Cycles coming in 4th place. Over a minute later Matt Steen (Colourtech RT) led in the bunch sprint from Clive Jarvis who had just enough time to recover from his long pursuit of the leading break.

Position Name Team Time
1 John Russell Bad Tri 1.01:47
2 Tom Stockdale MJS Racing ST
3 Mark Ottaway VC Meudon ST

For anyone else interested in early season racing - Upavon is hosting regular saturday morning races - Saturday 10 Jan through to 28 Feb. The format will be races for E/1/2 and 3/4/J, race distance for the E/1/2 will be 45 mins and 5 laps (2 miles per lap) and the 3/4/J will be riding 45 mins and 3 laps. Start times are 0900 hrs and 0901 hrs respectively. Contact
Darren Clarke Army Cycling Union - darrenclarke30@hotmail.com